Volunteering

A sound support structure is essential for the running of any organisation. Administrators are key to enabling the advice centres to run smoothly and efficiently. There are various administrative roles, so we will try to match your skills and time to our service needs.

The administrator tasks include:

• Using computer spreadsheets, databases and word processing software.
• Maintaining and developing administrative systems.
• Stock control of leaflets and materials and updating local information.
• Helping to arrange events.
• Handling correspondence, telephone calls, emails and faxes.
• Taking notes and minutes at meetings.

Citizens Advice Harrow is working with Macmillan to deliver Welfare Benefits Advice for those affected by cancer, in Brent, Ealing and Harrow.

We need dedicated volunteers to help us deliver this project.

The role of Project Support is to:

• Complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and training for your role
• Help collecting client feedback
• Help with organising meetings and notetaking
• Responding to calls and emails from clients
• Contributing to project communications and sending mail/newsletters
• Helping at project promotion events

What do you need to have?

You don’t need specific qualifications or skills but you’ll need to:

• Have good organisational skills
• Have good verbal and written communication skills
• Have good IT skills
• Ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences
• Be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own
• Be a team member
• The ability to speak additional language(s) are desirable but not essential

This role is subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

By using evidence collected from our clients, you can help to bring about changes in local and national policies and services. This will benefit many people, even those who have never used Citizens Advice services.

As a Campaign volunteer you will be involved in a variety of areas depending upon your skills and the time you have available. You might;

• Raise awareness with staff and volunteers of current social policy issues
• Check evidence forms for quality regarding clients’ issues and problems
• Identify and raise relevant issues with Citizens Advice nationally
• Conduct research and write reports
• Get involved in media campaigning
• Liaise with other Citizens Advice centres and external agencies.

For more information please visit Campaigns.

Without our team of trained volunteer advisers we could not meet the demands for our service. They are key to our service.

We would be looking for volunteers who are willing to make a minimum commitment of two years, including a weekly time commitment to this role, excluding holidays.

The role of an adviser is to:

• Interview clients in the advice centre, over the telephone and at outreach sessions.
• Research information from our electronic information system and other sources.
• Provide advice, explanation and help with the choices and consequences that the client faces.
• Help clients negotiate with people and organisations, such as creditors and service providers.
• Give practical help by writing letters, making telephone calls, completing forms, etc.
• Refer clients to other agencies which are better placed to help.
• Keep detailed records of all clients’ cases.
• Prevent future problems for clients by identifying failing policies and poor services.

The adviser’s skills
You don’t need any particular qualifications or experience to train as an adviser but you will need to:

• Demonstrate that you understand and support the aims and policies of the Citizens Advice service.
• Have good listening skills.
• Be able to work in a team.
• Have good communication skills and be able to read and write English and do basic calculations.
• Enjoy helping people.
• Be supportive to clients and colleagues.
• Be confident using information technology.
• Understand problems people may be facing in the local community.

We provide free, formal and comprehensive accredited training which is backed up by excellent support, supervision and guidance to help you develop the skills you need to deliver a high quality service to our clients.

Once you have qualified as a generalist adviser, you will have the opportunity to develop further skills and increase the depth and breadth of your knowledge.